QC LEADS EARTH HOUR, PUSHES SWITCH TO LED LIGHTS

The Quezon City government is encouraging more city residents to conserve energy by switching from the use of incandescent bulbs to LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs.

Earlier, the city joined 144 cities all over the world in celebration of Earth Hour 2015. The 60+ hour lights off activity last Saturday night at Quezon Memorial Circle, participated in by more than 2,000 environment and climate change advocates from QC and other cities in Metro Manila, jumpstarted a vigorous call by the QC government for city residents to actively take part and cooperate in efforts for energy conservation and environmental awareness, like using energy efficient LED bulbs.

Mayor Herbert M. Bautista earlier instructed streetlights task force head Ricky Aureo to immediately convert incandescent lamp posts to LED lamp posts, not only to save energy but also to cope with climate change. As a result, more than 700 streetlights have been retrofitted and 1,000 additional LED streetlights have been installed in Quezon City in the first phase of the implementation.

QC was the partner and venue host in the Philippines for the 60+ hour event last Saturday at QMC as chosen by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The event was highlighted by a parade, entertainment show including an aquatic band and zumba dance activity during the 8:30pm lights off. Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte led the ceremonial switching off of lights.

Aside from QMC, also with no-lights for an hour were QC hall compound, Elliptical Road , Visayas Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue .

The first Earth Hour took place in 2007 in Sydney , Australia as a statement of support for a united call for action on climate change and energy conservation.